My Imprisoned Mind
Toward the end of 2021 I watched a documentary called The Work. I did so on what was essentially a dare from the author of The Intentional Father. He said something to the effect of "you need to put this book down and watch that movie." Normally I'd gloss over a statement like that, but for some odd reason I took it seriously. I put the book down, and resolved to actually watch the movie before continuing the book. I never actually finished that book, but I had got my money's worth out of that one recommendation.
I hope you watch the movie if you're interested. You should put down this blog post and watch it. There, I've passed it forward. Side note: I've told lots of friends over the years about the movie and only one has watched the movie on my recommendation despite me saying it changed my life. I find that an interesting point of data. Is it my friends or me?
So, did you watch it? See A if you watched the movie and B if you didn't.
A) Nice. If I knew who you were I'd edit this blog post and increment my counter-of-one. Proceed to C.
B) No worries. Free will is an illusion anyway. Proceed to C.
C) Please enjoy the rest of this blog post and have a nice day!
The movie follows a weekend-long, intensive group therapy program run out of a maximum security prison in California. The program mixes civilians into the sessions with inmates. It's one of the most intense movies I've ever watched because it's real people working through real pain. It's hair-raising, messy, and shockingly authentic.
I vividly remember sitting in bed with my laptop next to my sleeping wife as I watched and listened through my headphones. At some point I had to grab a box of tissues because I couldn't stop weeping. That was eminently surprising to me because at that time I considered myself very unemotional.
There I was, sobbing while watching these men work through their deepest fears in prison. I saw something beautiful that my heart longed for, something I knew was latent within me, within all of us. I saw the true beauty of human connection.
That was strange to me because I've grown up in the Christian church. The message there was always, "this is true human connection and community!" Whenever I hinted at saying something like: "well, this kinda sucks" the response would be some form of: "just keep trying, it'll get better, kid!" Despite my sincere efforts, it never did.
But after watching The Work, I had hard evidence. I'd seen with my own eyes something of real depth. I'd seen something I longed for with the deepest parts of my soul. Words fail me here.
It was especially surprising that I'd seen it first among a group of prisoners. It checked out with the whole "everything is upside down" ideas that Jesus had.
Sometimes I grow tired of my own writing. This is one of those moments.
Blah blah blah, I loved it so much because it turns out I was a prisoner in my own mind.
The end for now.